have been seeking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been seeking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action of searching or looking for something that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: "We have been seeking new opportunities for collaboration with other organizations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Others have been seeking their own solutions.

The New York Times

Republicans have been seeking the sale.

The New York Times

I should have been seeking promotion opportunities.

The Guardian

For years, legislators and women's advocates have been seeking solutions.

The New York Times

Crystal must have been seeking punishment, humiliation, shame.

The New Yorker

She must have been seeking the same thing he was.

The New Yorker

Investors in droves have been seeking safety from sinking stocks.

The New York Times

Kenyan government forces have been seeking to squash it.

The Economist

Other nappers have been seeking privacy in stockrooms.

The New Yorker

For some time now, Republicans have been seeking an alternative.

The Economist

Since the attack businesses have been seeking increased coverage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a prolonged effort to achieve a specific objective, using "have been seeking" can effectively convey the persistence and ongoing nature of the endeavor.

Common error

Avoid using "have been seeking" when a simpler phrase like "have been looking for" would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been seeking" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It describes an action that started in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been seeking" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes an ongoing search or endeavor. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile, appearing in news, scientific, and business contexts, indicating a neutral register. While effective for conveying persistence, it's important to avoid overuse in situations where simpler alternatives like "have been looking for" would suffice. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist underscores its reliability and acceptance in standard English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been looking for

Focuses more on the act of searching, often for a tangible object or solution. The level of formality is similar.

have been searching for

Similar to 'looking for', but can imply a more thorough or exhaustive search.

have been trying to find

Emphasizes the effort involved in the search. It is more explicit about the attempt to locate something.

have been in pursuit of

More formal and suggests a determined effort to achieve a goal or obtain something elusive.

have been aiming for

Implies targeting a specific goal or objective, rather than a general search.

have been endeavoring to find

Very formal and emphasizes the dedication and effort put into the search.

have been working towards

Focuses on continuous effort towards a specific outcome or goal.

have been investigating

Implies a more structured and methodical approach to discovering something.

have been exploring

Suggests a less directed search, often involving discovery and learning.

have been on the lookout for

Indicates a state of vigilance and readiness to identify something when it appears.

FAQs

How can I use "have been seeking" in a sentence?

You can use "have been seeking" to describe an ongoing effort to find or obtain something. For example, "Researchers "have been seeking" a cure for the disease for years".

What are some alternatives to "have been seeking"?

Some alternatives include "have been looking for", "have been searching for", or "have been trying to find", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "have been seeking" or "have been looking for"?

"Have been seeking" tends to be slightly more formal than "have been looking for". The best choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing.

What's the difference between "have been seeking" and "have been pursuing"?

"Have been seeking" implies a general search, while "have been pursuing" suggests a more focused and determined effort towards a specific goal or target.